Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm Posts: 576 Location: N Dakota
Working with a friend to determine if the rubys she purchased were real or not. They came up as total fakes. First thing was a dye that was exposed in warm water, the next thing was that it wasn't just dye. After finding they were dyed we went further and immersed in acetone. It left a gooey substance in the bottom of the cup. The stone which had been used was a shaped granite. The other stones suffered similar issues with bad dye. They were actually corrundum, glass filled and dyed red. The funny part is they all came with India gemological lab cards from the supplier. Good news was she didn't pay much for them and it was a good learning experience for us.
Hi Dan, "Enhanced" when applied to ruby is usually taken to mean (or at least in European terms) ruby that has had the clarity improved by being heated and allowed to cool slowly. Since the process is solely one of heating and cooling the improvement will not reverse in fluids. The result is a very nice looking ruby at 1/3 or 1/4 the price of a naturally clear ruby. It is important to make disclosure when selling however, although it takes a hard man or woman to resist the saving!
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm Posts: 576 Location: N Dakota
This wasn't enhanced since it wasn't actually Ruby to begin with. Just a fake sold with a fake lab report. It was fun to figure out the lengths they went to producing it. The glass filled and dyed stones were equally an easy spot. The poor quality of workmanship when in hand made it in to dissect. No worries of ruining a stone.
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